City of Tampa

This is moderately responsible technical work involving research, assessment, planning and implementation for a broad spectrum of community engagement priorities.

This highly visible position with diverse responsibilities requires an experienced, motivated, and innovative individual to coordinate actionable methods for increasing civic engagement, while leveraging City services to enhance stakeholders’ quality of life. Tasks are of more than average difficulty and require significant tact, diplomacy and discretion in all internal and external interactions. Working under general supervision, employee is required to exercise reasonable independent judgment and initiative in coordinating activities and responding to the public. Position requires performing work on weekends and during irregular hours. Work is reviewed while in progress through observation, and upon completion through reports submitted, public response, results obtained, and content produced.

Assist with developing and executing strategies to attain broader civic engagement and awareness in support of organizational goals, while enhancing public trust. Includes researching, designing, implementing and evaluating innovative outreach services and experiences for year-round strategic engagement involving internal and external stakeholders.

Implement an overall community engagement strategy in coordination with City departments for capital projects, events, community development activities, among others as assigned.

Represent the City in a positive and effective manner; make presentations; attend meetings and events; participate in community and professional organizations as a representative of the City.

Convey complex issues, events and concepts in succinct, easy-to-understand language in verbal and written formats. Collaborate with City departments and the community to share concerns and reactions; track concerns and resolutions; escalate issues when necessary.

Cultivate relationships with residential and business stakeholders to gain awareness of the history, culture and challenges that exist within each predefined area; supports the development of programs and partnerships, in

addition to coordinating information dissemination to address key community challenges along with supporting community placemaking.

Organize and promote neighborhood meetings, programs and services designed to enhance the quality of life in city neighborhoods; onboard new associations; provide neighborhood leaders with technical assistance in accessing City and community agency resources.

Monitor emerging technologies and methods related to community engagement; develop specific outreach strategies to reach diverse, and hard to reach populations who require assistance in connecting with City services and programs.

Support activities related to the Communications Department, which may include providing on-air and official statements on behalf of the City.

Recruits, trains and places community volunteers to assist with strategic initiatives.

Prepares monthly activity reports, quarterly and annual reports reflecting program achievements.

Performs related work as required.

Extensive knowledge of: public relations, communications, and public information dissemination techniques, and public speaking principles and practices.

Considerable knowledge of: conducting effective outreach to diverse communities; modern office practices, procedures, and equipment; Business English, spelling, and grammar.

Working knowledge of: municipal government operations and relationship to service delivery.

Ability to: write and speak clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings; plan and conduct effective informational and promotional activities; blend people into teams when needed and to foster open dialogue and build consensus; establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials and employees, business, civic, neighborhood and educational groups, and the general public, including vulnerable populations; diffusing potentially difficult situations in a manner suitable for all parties involved; handle sensitive issues effectively, courteously, and tactfully; treat all individuals with dignity and respect; operate a small/medium sized vehicle.

Skill in: research and analytics; public speaking; organization; planning; audio/visual production; computers; MS Office; and various digital technologies.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, public or business administration or a related field and two (2) years of experience in community outreach, urban planning or similar experience.

Possession of a valid Florida driver’s license required.

Evaluation of education and experience. Drug testing is included in all pre-employment processing.

Employees may be required to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime as needed. During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.